Related articles

Jonathan Rea made it three wins at Donington Park, putting on a spectacular show in front of a large, supportive British crowd!

In the final action of the weekend for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, it was yet another thrilling encounter from lights-out to the chequered flag. It was action right from the start, with Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) coming out on top after another tough scrap with Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing).

Heading towards Turn 1 for the first time, Jonathan Rea rocketed from pole position to grab the holeshot, ahead of Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing), whilst Alvaro Bautista (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) blasted into third. At the Old Hairpin however, Bautista was passed by home-hero Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK). Chaz Davies had a strong opening, running as high as fifth, right behind his teammate. It was a nightmare for Jordi Torres (Team Pedercini Racing) one lap later, as the Spaniard retired

With the race settling down, on Lap 3, Razgatlioglu took the lead at the circuit where he took his first WorldSBK career podium. With a strong out-braking manoeuvre at the Melbourne Loop, he was able to pinch the advantage. However, two laps later, Rea took the lead back and one lap further on, Haslam momentarily got ahead of the Turk at the Foggy Esses. At the Melbourne Loop, Razgatlioglu recovered and the 22-year-old was back in second.

Razgatlioglu was able to retake the lead from Rea, with the two riders dancing side-by-side around the Donington Park circuit. Another late-braking move at the Melbourne Loop saw him retake the lead and then, putting the hammer down. Razgatlioglu and Rea broke clear of the fading Haslam in third place, whilst Alvaro Bautista was all over the rear-end of the five-time WorldSBK race winner.

With 12 to go, it was a rare error at the Foggy Esses from Toprak, allowing Rea to cut through and take the lead back from the young Turk. A lap later, and the battle for third started to ignite with Bautista taking the final podium position from Leon Haslam. With all the swapping, slowly but surely, Loris Baz (Ten Kate Racing – Yamaha) was now closing down Leon Haslam, with Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) in sixth. Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was seventh from tenth on the grid, whilst Davies had slipped to eighth.There was a change in the battle for fifth place, as Alex Lowes forced Baz wide at the Foggy Esses, with the British rider getting ahead into the Melbourne Loop. Even further back, double winner from Donington Park in 2018, Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team), got ahead of Davies for eighth place.

In the closing stages, there were two battles: for first and second between Rea and Razgatlioglu, and for third place between Bautista, Lowes, Haslam and Baz – with Lowes getting ahead of Haslam with just three laps to go. Going into the final lap, half-a-second split the leading two, whilst Bautista had a small buffer for a safe third place.

Coming to the line for the final time, Jonathan Rea completed a Donington Park hat-trick at home, the first triple he has achieved this season. Razgatlioglu took another podium with second and Alvaro Bautista took his first podium of the weekend, although he now trails the reigning WorldSBK champion by 24 points. Alex Lowes was fourth whilst Leon Haslam completed the top five, only just ahead Loris Baz.

The Monster Energy Alpinestars Piller's Kawasaki Race Team officially kicked off the 2019 season this past weekend in Abbotsford, BC, at the first round of the Arenacross Tour. The Abbotsford Centre was the host of a very challenging course. The freshly built indoor track was made of soft dirt and quickly became highly demanding for all the riders. None the less, both Kawasaki riders overcame the tough conditions and put on an amazing ride to finish the night on the podium.

In the 450 class, Matt Goerke started his day by setting the fastest time in both practice and qualifiers. His performance gave him a good confidence boost heading into the night show. Matt started his heat race near the front, to quickly get into the lead and never look back. He eventually crossed the finish line with an impressive lead over 2nd place, giving him first gate pick for the main event. Before the main, Matt lined up for the Clash for Cash race, in which he didn’t get the best start, leaving him mid pack. After a couple passes, he finished the Cash class in 2nd place, gaining some more points towards the championship, and got ready for the final race of the night. When the gate dropped for the 450 main event, Matt found himself in the leading pack. Unfortunately, a small crash with another rider set him back down to 7th place. It wasn’t over for Goerke, who despite not having a front brake anymore, got back on his bike and made his way through the riders to get right back into 2nd place within 5 laps. During the second half of the race, Matt tried to apply pressure for the lead multiple times, but ended up making some mistakes due to his lack of brake issue and the extreme track conditions, getting the checkered flag in 2nd place.

It is not a secret that the 250 riders had a harder time with the track’s utmost mushy state, but Tyler Medaglia did not let the course condition affect his highly anticipated return to the 250 class. After setting the fastest time in practice and 2nd fastest lap times in qualifiers, Tyler knew his place was in the front. He lined up for his heat race, got a top 3 start and started fighting for the lead right away. It was a tight three-way battle for the top position and Medaglia tried everything he could to make the move from 2nd to 1st, when he made a mistake setting him back to 3rd place. Tyler began his 250 main event from the back of the pack after a bad start. He quickly made some passes to find himself in 2nd place. As the race went on, Tyler got closer to the lead, but ran out of time and had to settle for a well-deserved 2nd place finish.

The Monster Energy Alpinestars Piller's Kawasaki Race Team will now be traveling past the Rocky Mountains to Calgary, Alberta for round 2 of the Arenacross Tour this coming Saturday, April 13th.

Ninteen-year-old Braeden Ortt, who finished ninth in the 2018 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship aboard a Graves prepared 600, is going green for 2019. The Canadian rider, who hails from Calgary, Alberta, will ride the #30 Ortt Racing Graves Kawasaki ZX-6R in the 2019 Supersport Championship.

Ortt is currently studying in his freshman year at The University of British Columbia’s Okanagan Campus, and we caught up with him while he took a short break before going to his chemistry lab class at school.

“I’m really excited to be racing a Kawasaki this year,” Ortt commented. “Especially a Graves Kawasaki!”

To get ready for the upcoming MotoAmerica season, Ortt has been participating in AFM (American Federation of Motorcyclists) events, with a paid ride on the same Graves Kawasaki equipment and he tested at Buttonwillow Raceway Park in Buttonwillow, California, over the past weekend.

Ortt’s team consists of crew chief Marco Bonesso and Jorge Artola. Combined the 2 have more than 50 years of professional racing experience and will be working with the Graves Kawasaki team at the AFM events this year. Additionally Braeden will be working with rider coach Garrett Willis.

While Ortt races a Kawasaki in Supersport, he’ll share a canopy with defending MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee, who will be aboard his #1 Franklin Armory Kawasaki ZX-10R.

"Although we will be doing our own thing, I am excited that Andrew and I will be teammates,” Ortt explained. "Sharing a canopy, with both of us aboard Graves-equipped Kawasakis. I’m really excited to start the season, and love the feel of this new Kawasaki ZX-6R. I’m also really happy to have the support of Shoei and Cortech again this year."

Dan Kruger and Zhuhai local Rongli Wu powered their new Kawasaki ZX10RR to the team’s 5th consecutive win at this popular Chinese Endurance Race. They got a great start and led the first few laps before Kruger had to relinquish the lead due to intense post arm-pump surgery infections at the incision site that would require him to ride with a modified glove and pain medicine. He would spent the rest of the race testing his pain threshold by exchanging quickest laps with their main competitor, Macau-based Dainese Lash Kawasaki Team. Kruger’s Team would slip back to 2nd and focus on a Race for 2nd overall as 3rd Place ACE Yamaha kept a within 10 seconds of them for most of the race.

In the final hour, Kruger had been taking on more stints than his teammate to take advantage of his quicker pace and try to hold on to 2nd overall. The ACE Yamaha team would have their engine let go and that left oil all over the racing line. It also saw leaders Dainese Lash low-side in the oil along with several other teams which brought out the safety car for 3 laps. That was the break that Kruger’s Kawasaki Team needed as they pitted early, Dan went out and regained the overall lead. They never looked back and took a hard-fought victory which also added to their unbeaten record for this event.

“ I cannot believe that we pulled this one off. 12 hours earlier, I was in a local hospital dealing with a really painful infection along my wrist and directly on the palm of my hand wondering if we would need to pull out of the event. My wife and kids surprised me and flew over from the USA so it was the perfect time to get on the top step of the podium. My 3 year old son Aiden had never seen me race and my 5 year old daughter had only seen me race at the IOM TT and the EWC Suzuka 8-Hour but she didn’t really remember any of that so this was a really great feeling for me. Our team managed our pit strategy flawlessly and my teammate rode consistently and gave me the breaks I needed to regroup and dig deep for continued energy/determination that I didn’t think I had in me.”

Kruger is back in China in 12 Days for a 3 day Pre-Season test as his Japanese Engineers will fly over and fit a new Superbike motor directly from Japan with some special KRT parts and prepare for the 2019 Superbike Season in China.

As the team plans to participate in the EWC Sepang 8-Hour in December this year, this event certainly gave them the needed confidence to compete against the World’s best.

The entire team would like to thank all of their sponsors which include Titanic Kawasaki, Motul, Pirelli, EBC, UPG, Hindle, Dainese, Xlite, BG, Brembo, Ktech, RK, Mototron, RS-Itoh, and Nature Power. A special thanks to Paul Patos and Dan’s family for making the journey over.

Toronto, Canada - November 6, 2018: The Ninja H2 family is a testament to Kawasaki’s relentless pursuit of innovation, performance, and passion for creating the world’s most advanced line of supercharged motorcycles. For 2019, the new Ninja H2 SX SE+ motorcycle completes the Kawasaki sport touring lineup, blending performance and ultimate real-world handling.

Toronto, Canada - November 6, 2018: The all-new Kawasaki W800 is Kawasaki’s latest addition to our retro lineup of motorcycles. It’s a true throwback to its 1960’s predecessor, the famed Kawasaki W1. The 1966 Kawasaki W1 is the motorcycle that has come to represent the ethos of Kawasaki’s quest for speed. It had the largest displacement and was most powerful Japanese motorcycle of its time, and inspired the birth of the legendary machines such as the Kawasaki Z1 and Ninja H2 sportbikes.

Toronto, Canada - November 6, 2018: A new entry-lightweight supernaked machine that brings a competitive spirit and small displacement to Kawasaki’s legendary Z series: the all-new Kawasaki Z400 ABS. Powered by the class leading engine of the Ninja 400 sportbike, the new naked counterpart is lightweight and nimble for every day street riding, and purpose built for merging stylish looks with core performance.

Toronto, Canada - October 15, 2018: Kawasaki is no stranger to leading the way in performance and handling in the middleweight motorcycle category, with the Ninja ZX-6R continually winning awards and championships throughout the years. For 2019, Kawasaki has raised the bar yet again with the new Ninja ZX-6R sportbike. The latest “636” has a potent, 636cc liquid cooled 4-stroke in-line four-cylinder engine and advanced rider support features. The improved engine performance and components create a more versatile motorcycle for good times everywhere, now starting at $11,999.

The Ninja ZX-6R “636” utilizes race proven engine and chassis performance that has been optimized for the street; it offers the opportunities for exhilarating experiences in a wide range of riding situations. While its lineage gives it a high potential for track- riding fun, its street-riding focus makes it the middleweight motorcycle of choice for a day out on the winding roads.

Developed to suit a wide range of riders, the Ninja ZX-6R “636” sportbike provides riders a platform that allows for plenty of excitement. The Ninja ZX-6R features optimized engine performance across the entire RPM range, idealized suspension components and design, along with increased advanced rider support technology.

The Ninja ZX-6R is packed with premium class leading components and advanced technology, such as the Kawasaki Quick Shifter (KQS) to speed upshifts, twin LED headlights and taillights, and new Bridgestone BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S22 tires.

EngineThe Ninja ZX-6R features an efficient and powerful 636cc liquid-cooled in-line four-cylinder DOHC 4-stroke engine. The additional 37cc over typical 599cc sport bikes is thanks to the 67.0 x 45.1 mm bore and stroke. New engine updates for 2019 enable the engine emissions to pass Euro4 regulation standards, without sacrificing the exciting performance that sport riders enjoy both on track, and on the roads.

To meet the Euro4 emissions regulations standards without compromising the engine’s performance, ultra-fine atomizing injectors were utilized. They operate by injecting a droplet size of less than 60 microns to ensure efficient air-fuel mixing contributing to combustion efficiency. Precise settings contribute to a reduction in engine emissions, while ensuring that power and torque feeling are improved for riders who have come to know and love the Ninja ZX-6R power plant.

Feeding the Ninja ZX-6R “636” power plant is a large-volume 5.09-liter air box, which helps to create peak power and smooth power delivery. The intake funnel design contributes to powerful low-mid range focused engine performance. The intake funnels have two different shapes with funnels one and four being shorter, while funnels two and three are taller. This design helps deliver the optimized power feeling.

In order to protect the heart of the power plant, the piston skirts feature a molybdenum coating, which reduces friction. To maximize engine performance and reduce pumping loss, the engine features connecting passages between the each of the cylinders.

The Ninja ZX-6R “636” exhaust design ensures optimal engine performance. All four-header pipes are connected using joint pipes, which contribute to the low-mid range torque. An exhaust pre-chamber helps minimize silencer volume, contributing to mass centralization while the silencer’s triangular crosssection enables the requisite volume while ensuring a high lean angle and a compact image.

TransmissionThe Ninja ZX-6R uses a cassette style transmission, which makes it easy to change gear ratios quickly, reducing necessary set-up time for track days. It also has an all-new shorter nal gear ratio (15/43) which further emphasises the engine’s strong low-end; meaning it is well suited to have more fun on the street and on winding roads. New for 2019 is the Kawasaki Quick Shifter (KQS).

Assist & Slipper ClutchComplementing the transmission is an Assist & Slipper clutch, race-inspired technology that offers both a back-torque limiting function as well as a light feel at the lever.

The Assist function is noticed by the lighter pull at the clutch lever, helping to reduce rider fatigue especially in stop and go traffic situations. The Slipper function is noticed when excessive engine braking occurs as a result of quick or accidental downshifts. The slipper cam comes into play, forcing the clutch hub and operating plate apart, which relieves pressure on the clutch plates to reduce back-torque and help prevent the rear tire from hopping and skidding.

ChassisThe Ninja ZX-6R sportbike features a pressed-aluminium perimeter frame design. The two-piece sub-frame is made from aluminium die-cast pieces, consisting of a front and rear section. This layout enables a very precise, lightweight construction. It is also very narrow, allowing the rear of the bike to be very compact and slim. The base frame components offer a superb balance of flickable handling, mid-corner composure with the ability to change lines on command, coupled with excellent chassis feedback.

Complementing the chassis design, the Ninja ZX-6R “636” is equipped with the Showa SFF-BP (Separate Function Fork – Big Piston) fork. Combining the concepts of Showa SFF and BPF, this advanced fork offers both racetrack performance and everyday usability. The Showa SFF-BP offers smooth action at the beginning of the stroke that contributes to excellent composure under braking. The large-diameter damping piston is much larger than what is found in a cartridge-type fork of the same size. The result is greater control as the fork begins to compress and a very calm attitude change as vehicle weight shifts forward when reducing speed, offering greater chassis stability on corner entry.

The fork settings are designed to handle winding roads as well as delivering a high level of performance for the track, while also accommodating highway and city riding. SFF-BP offers easy adjustability. All the adjusters are located at the top of the fork caps: preload on the left, compression and rebound damping on the right. Each component only needs to be adjusted once.

The Showa rear shock and suspension design contribute to rear ride comfort, offering a more plush feeling when riding in town or on the highway. The shock offers riders the ability to adjust preload, rebound damping and compression damping.

Brakes & WheelsThe Ninja ZX-6R “636” comes equipped stock with the BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S22 tires. The BATTALAX tire contributes to lighter handling, which offers superior grip in a variety of conditions, that translates to greater rider confidence and enjoyment. The front wheel is equipped with a 120/70ZR17M/C (58W) tire; the rear wheel is equipped with a 180/55ZR17M/C (73W) tire.

Handling the stopping duties upfront for the Ninja ZX-6R “636” motorcycle is a pair of powerful, highly rigid, radial-mount opposed four piston monobloc calipers, which grip a pair of large-diameter semi floating 310 mm stainless-steel petal discs, offering superb control and a firm feel at the lever and contribute to strong braking. In the rear, the radial-pump master cylinder ensures excellent touch and offers superb control. The radial-pump master cylinder has been paired with a 220 mm petal disc and a lightweight rear brake caliper, the same found on the Ninja ZX-10R sportbike, which offers good anti-fade performance.

ElectronicsKQS (Kawasaki Quick Shifter)New for 2019, on the Ninja ZX-6R is a highly reliable contactless-type quick shifter that allows for ultra quick, full power upshifts and seamless acceleration. The system detects that the shift lever has been actuated, and sends a signal to the ECU to cut ignition so that the next gear can be engaged for clutchless shifting.

Kawasaki TRaction Control (KTRC)The Ninja ZX-6R “636” is equipped with Kawasaki TRaction Control (KTRC), which has three performance settings riders can choose from: Modes 1 and 2 prioritize maximum forward acceleration, while Mode 3 provides rider reassurance by facilitating smooth riding on low traction surfaces. The three modes of KTRC offer options for a wide variety of riding conditions. Riders also have the option to elect to turn the system off.

Supersport-grade High-precision Brake Management:KIBS (Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System)Kawasaki’s supersport-grade ABS is available on the Ninja ZX-6R motorcycle. KIBS is a multi-sensing system that collects data from a number of sources, including front and rear wheel speed sensors, monitors front caliper hydraulic pressure, along with information from the engine ECU to do its job. High-precision brake pressure control enables the system to avoid reduced brake performance due to excessive pressure drops, allows lever feel to be maintained when KIBS is active, and helps ensure smooth braking feel.

Power Mode SelectionRiders can set power delivery to suit conditions and/or preference, choosing from Full and Low. When combined with the KTRC and Power Mode options, riders have eight combinations from which to choose. Each system can be set independently to best suit rider preference, riding location and road conditions.

StylingAll new styling gives the Ninja ZX-6R a fresh new image. Combining the powerful & attractive owing design theme of the Ninja ZX-10R with sharp, edgy lines unique to this new model. The ZX6-R creates a strong Ninja family image while maintaining its own distinct appearance, inspired by its street-focused performance.

The styling changes for the 2019 Ninja ZX6-R include a new front cowling and windscreen, LED headlamps, tail cowl, LED taillight, heel guard, as well as a new nishing process for the silencer. The all-new design of the front cowling and windscreen represent the next evolution of the iconic Ninja styling, while also offering a more open and confidence inspiring feeling from the cockpit. Each of the new LED headlamps features low and high beams as well as a position lamp. The new headlamps also offer significantly increased visibility and brightness to illuminate the way on night rides. Upswept lines of the new tail cowl were designed to give it a sharper appearance. Overlapping and interwoven sections are a key design element, contributing to the unique, attractive image of the Ninja ZX-6R. Drawing inspiration from its larger counterpart, the Ninja ZX-10R, an LED taillight was added to the new tail cowl, adding a sophisticated, high-grade touch to the rear of the bike. All-new heel guard design contributes to the bike’s dynamic stylish appearance. The silencer of the ZX6-R features a new finishing treatment and end-cap design, continuing the theme of improved aesthetics and performance.

ErgonomicsThe 2019 Ninja ZX-6R features several ergonomic updates, as well as all-new styling. The rider triangle remains unchanged, utilizing Kawasaki’s Ninja supersport seat to pegs to bar orientation, which offers a naturally sporty riding position. A slim and ared fuel tank makes it easier for riders to grip the tank with their knees.

The ergonomic updates include changes to the seat, front cowl, and windscreen, as well as an adjustable clutch lever. The new seat is shorter front-to-back for improved comfort and feedback from the chassis. It is also narrower in the front section to help facilitate the slim riding position and make it easier for riders to get their feet on the ground. An all-new front cowl and windscreen design blends show-stopping good looks with real world wind protection for sport riding while also maintaining visibility during more upright street riding. Complementing the adjustable front brake lever is a new adjustable clutch lever with ve available positions. This allows riders to modify both hand lever positions to suit their hand size and preference.